Over the past few months, the WKSN AC Board has undertaken systematic change within the Corporation at both board and operational levels and is moving forward in the spirit of unity and togetherness. 

 The prioritisation of key governance and managerial policy review, adaption, creation, and alignment has enabled WKSN AC to embed process and procedures that allow greater transparency, equity, and fairness, but more importantly accountability for all. This transformation will see the corporation aspire to a business model in accordance to due and proper cultural practices guided by community led initiatives and customary activities.

 Key governance reform has occurred since the boards appointment and will continue to be implemented across the corporation, including at the membership level, to ensure that lawful standards and expected behaviours are set as the foundational principles for a healthy workplace and environment in all areas.

 Key policy creation and procedural improvements included:

• Creation of a Board Charter that clearly separates the governance and operational functions to streamline structured implementation of the WKSN Indigenous Land Use Agreement. 

• Creation of a Finance Risk and Audit Committee to monitor, evaluate, and implement robust risk mitigation strategies to ensure effective governance and organisational capabilities and business continuity.

• Establishment of the Membership Sub Committee which includes representatives of the Cultural Advice Committee (CAC) to assess membership applications and provide a mechanism for managing conflict and complaints, allowing members a platform to have their concerns adequately assessed and addressed in a culturally supportive and considered manner.

• Revision of the WKSN AC Code of Conduct which now includes 'all' members as responsible parties to the expected conduct of the corporation in its entirety, and finally

• Development of an Elder Abuse Policy to ensure our Elders are provided with the utmost dignity and respect within and external to the corporation going forward at all times.

All policies referred to above will be available for your information and prioritisation on the WKSN AC website in due course.

The board through the recent transition away from the previous corporate auspicing arrangements of the Central Service Corporation (CSC / South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council / SWALSC) has enabled full autonomy, self-determination, and capacity building for the corporation. This means we are now operating as a solo entity with no ongoing expected obligations to SWALSC for operational needs. WKSN AC will however continue supporting SWALSC to deliver on Nation-wide strategies aimed at enhancing Noongar collectively.

WKSN AC is in the process of reviewing the legal obligations and responsibilities of all existing Trust arrangements to ensure Trustee Relationship Committees are novated to WKSN AC, allowing visibility of all current and future activities. This includes full oversite and accountability for the WKSN Pty Ltd as the established Trust for the Agreement Group. A future Agreement Group update will be provided once operating principles and agreed terms have been established by both parties.

The recent resignation of a Member Director requires WKSN AC to fill the casual vacancy from the list of candidates from the 2025 Director elections. Once eligibility has been re-confirmed by the Nominations Committee, an offer will be provided to the candidate who received the highest number of votes, if that person is still eligible and available. 

Finally, recruitment for the Chief Executive Officer is well underway, and anticipating on finalising the appointment of a highly skilled and competent candidate by the end of July. All stakeholders will be notified once the process has been concluded and an appointment made.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, I would like to thank you for your patience, support, and solidarity these past few months, and we look forward to your ongoing commitment and participation as we set sail on a journey which will be inclusive and fair for all WKSN Agreement Group members, Corporate Members, and our wider communities.

Sincerely,

Laurence Riley

WKSNAC Director | Chairperson

‍ ‍As of the 15th of June, 8 cases of H5N1 bird flu have been recorded in WA. They have all been migratory sea birds visiting the coast and have been found from Esperance to Lancelin. The H5N1 bird flu has been in existence in other countries from quite a few years but has finally reached Australia. The virus can jump from visiting sea birds to local bird species, and also to mammal species, particularly sea mammals like seals. It has a high mortality rate and can infect humans, making people very sick, or killing them.

‍ ‍‍Any people out on Boodja who see sick or dead birds, or indeed, sick mammals are encouraged to stay away from them and to report them to the local DBCA officer. Don't touch the sick animals but record their location, get photos if possible, and report it as soon as possible. You can find more information here:‍ ‍‍https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/management/threat-management/h5-avian-influenza-bird-flu

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Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation (WKSNAC) is seeking Expressions of Interest from Noongar community members who have a connection to the Gnowangerup College site (formerly Gnowangerup Mission) and who are committed to helping shape its future, to nominate as Gnowangerup Advisory Group members.

The Group will provide advice and recommendations to WKSNAC on matters relating to the future planning, development and use of the Gnowangerup College site. The Group is advisory in nature and does not have decision-making authority.

We are looking for artists to help with two projects.

The Mamang Maambakoort Marine Park is looking for artists to create official branding artwork.

Cable Beach in Torndirrup National Park is in need of artists to design two new interpretive signs.

expressions of interest close 8th September and 14th September respectfully.

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The Board of Directors of the Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation (WKSN) wishes to advise our members, partners, and community that Ms. Joslyn Eades-Tass has resigned from her position on the Board, effective 6 July 2026.

On behalf of WKSN, we extend our sincere gratitude to Joslyn for her dedicated service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to our Corporation and the Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar community. Throughout her tenure, Joslyn brought a vital cultural lens to our governance, ensuring that our strategic policy and structural advocacy remained firmly grounded in the rights and wellbeing of First Nations people.

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Her ethical guidance, integrity, and passion for systemic reform have left a lasting positive impact on our organization. We wish Joslyn the absolute best in her future endeavours and her continued work as a prominent community leader.

The WKSN AC Chairperson and Acting CEO recently attended a meeting with Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) about required changes to the Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation’s (WKSN AC’s) Rule Book.

This meeting and associated work being undertaken is seeking to ensure that WKSN AC’s rule book is complaint with the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act) and also the obligations the WKSN AC has under the South West Native Title Settlement (SWNTS) Indigenous Land Use Agreement. The following points provide a summary of the situation:         

1. Implementation & Timing

• Initial implementation of rule changes was indicated for 1 July 2026

• ORIC has now confirmed the timeline will be extended to allow for meaningful consultation with WKSN AC members

• A procedural fairness process will be undertaken, expected to run for at least 2–3 months

• WKSN AC Elections should proceed under existing rules, with a focus on appointing as many eligible candidates as possible.

Registrar / Delegate Process

• The ORIC Delegate will review the rulebook with a fresh, independent perspective and issue formal correspondence outlining:

  • Provisions considered non-compliant

  • Provisions considered unworkable or potentially unworkable

• WKSN AC will have the opportunity to:

  • Respond to the Delegate’s views

  • Propose amendments where provisions are considered unworkable

Please note resolving this matter is important to the WKSN AC and please be reassured that WKSN AC will consult appropriately with Members on any proposed changes to the WKSN AC Rule Book, and members will get a vote on any proposed changes to the WKSN AC Rule Book.    

Congratulations to our New Members.

Your Membership card will be posted shortly.

If you have had a change of address, please let us know, so we can update your details.

(Image is for example only)

Recently the WKSN AC Mamang Maambakoort Marine Park (MMMP) Joint Management Committee travelled to Hopetoun to participate in an underwater marine science project.

In partnership with DBCA, the WKSN Joint Management Committee members helped drop 30 Baited Remote Underwater Vehicles (BRUVs) that film and count fish within the Marine Park.

Update (February 2026)

Establishment Phase (January to June 2026)

We enjoyed two major milestones in January.  First, we had the handover of the master key from the Department of Education, marking practical control of the site being transferred to WKSNAC.  More importantly, we had a smoking ceremony with Ezzard Flowers and Tassie Hayward in the main accommodation areas and our offices, something we appreciate very much, particularly before relocating and taking up residence.

Jim Atkinson & Matt Lane

We would like to welcome the members of WKSN Cultural Advice Committee.

Top - Stewart Hansen (Chair), Valerie Swift, Darryl Eades, Dallas Coyne, Martin Penny.

Seated - Treasy Woods, Debra Michael, Olivia Roberts

Missing - Marilyn Krakouer

Key Responsibilities and Functions

Advising on Country: Providing authoritative advice on land management, identifying "Cultural Lands" under the Noongar Boodja Trust, and confirming who has the right to speak for specific country.

Cultural Protocols: Determining how to honor, protect, and respect cultural knowledge, including guiding "Welcome to Country" practices.

Decision-Making: Guiding regional corporations on matters that may affect cultural interests, such as development activities or environmental management.

Knowledge Protection: Recording and managing how traditional knowledge is shared.

Structure and Membership

Composition: Comprised of respected Elders and knowledge holders 1 male and 1 female from each language group. Menang, Kaneang, Wilman, Goreng, Wudjari.

Selection: Members are nominated and elected by community members.

Cultural fire puts the needs of Country first and uses fire to keep Boodja healthy, rather than just aiming to reduce the hazard, which is the wadjela way of burning. We can’t just go and start burning though, first we need to make sure any burns we do are legal, that all the people who do the burns are properly trained, that we have the right equipment, and that burns are overseen by Elders to ensure they are done the right way.

2 July

The Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation (WKSN AC), the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) and the other South West Native Title Settlement Noongar Regional Corporations successfully lobbied the Western Australian Government to ensure Noongar customary hunting rights are recognised and protected under the new Firearms Act 2024.

WKSN AC has delegated to SWALSC the ability to be able to provide people who are eligible to be WKSN AC members with Property Hunting Permission letters for their Gun License applications. 

The WKSN AC would like to thank the SWALSC for providing this important service to the Noongar community.      

If you are seeking a Property Hunting Permission Letter for your Firearms Act 2024 Firearm Licence renewal or application, visit the SWALSC website at noongar.org.au/hunting-rights.